Several parties are opening up for sharper screen time rules in preschool

Sweden is alone in the world in encouraging the use of digital tools in the preschool curriculum, write ten researchers at DN Debatt.

But the consequences for early screen use are not clear from the research and could disrupt children's learning, the researchers say.

The Sweden Democrats say they want to remove the digital tools from the preschool curriculum.

- Since we now receive signals that it turns out to be harmful, we do not think it should be included in the curriculum, says Patrick Reslow (SD) group leader in the education committee.

But the party does not want all digital tools removed.

Speakers and cameras should be able to be used, they say.

S opens for sharpening

At present, the Social Democrats do not want the letter on digital tools to be removed from the curriculum, but they are open to changes.

- Children should not sit in front of screens and screen time for children should be limited.

I absolutely think that you can look further if you can strengthen the wording so that the purpose is really to strengthen learning in general, says Member of Parliament Aylin Fazelian (S).

The party has great faith in the preschool educators and their ability to decide how the tools should be used, she says.

- They are trained in pedagogy and are the ones who know the children and are experts in the field.

The moderates think that the screen issue should be clarified in the preschool curriculum.

Young and older children should be able to receive different directives, based on what the research says.

- There are reasons for this, so that the staff knows that it is based on research that it is used in the right way, says Lars Hjälmered (M), education policy spokesperson.